Atletico Madrid 3-0 Marseille: Golden Griezmann lights up final
The Frenchman scored twice and played a role in the third as Atletico earned a deserved victory
It was the perfect goodbye, from Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid striker is Barcelona-bound and he will depart Atletico Madrid with a trophy to his name.
OM
0 ________________ 3
ATM
LINE UP
Olympique Marsella
Mandanda; Sarr, Rami, Luiz Gustavo, Amavi; Zambo Anguissa, Sanson; Thauvin, Payet (Lopez, 32'), Ocampos (Clinton Njie, 55'); Germain (Mitroglou, 74').
Atlético de Madrid
Oblak; Vrsaljko (Juanfran, 46'), Giménez, Godín, Lucas; Correa (Thomas, 88'), Gabi, Saúl, Koke; Griezmann (Torres, 90'), Diego Costa.
Goles
0-1 M. 21 Griezmann. 0-2 M. 49 Griezmann. 0-3 M. 89 Gabi.
Árbitro
Björn Kuipers (Países Bajos). TA: Amavi (38'), Luiz Gustavo (75'), Njie (77') / Vrsaljko (23'), Lucas (77').
Incidencias
Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Unos 55.000 espectadores.
That was what he dearly wanted and, as Diego Costa said, it is what will allow him to come home, one day, if he wants to.
The French striker was rejected by Lyon as a child so to return to his native city and put on an exhibition like this was the cherry on the cake.
Griezmann’s two goals fired Atletico to their third Europa League — or UEFA Cup — win, and from the moment he opened the scoring, it never looked in doubt.
The first goal came after Marseille midfielder Anguisse conceded possession 30 yards out, failing to control a tricky pass well, and Gabi pounced.
Atletico’s captain fed their star player and Griezmann finished coolly, to send Atletico ahead.
Once ahead, they don’t lose their lead, so the final was more or less over in the 21st minute.
The only surprise, perhaps, was that Atletico bothered to score another, with Griezmann the man who scored it again.
Played through on goal he stayed cool and flicked the ball over Steve Mandanda to double Atletico’s lead.
Marseille, who saw star player Dimitri Payet go off injured in the first half, had little left in the tank.
Substitute Kostas Mitroglou hit the post with a header, but that was as close as they came, with Diego Simeone, in a box rather than on the sideline thanks to his suspension, able to celebrate another trophy when Gabi grabbed the third with a minute to go.
Griezmann’s fine ball sent Costa scampering, and he and Koke worked the ball across to veteran skipper Gabi, who drilled home.
